Bloodhound Gang members “Evil” Jared Hasselhoff and Jimmy Pop are facing criminal charges in Russia, having been named as suspects in a case being pursued by Russia’s Investigative Committee–a law-enforcement agency equivalent to the United States FBI.
Music Feeds reported back in August on an incident involving the pop-punk five-piece and a Russian flag. The band were playing a set in the Ukrainian city of Odessa, when bass player Hasselhoff presented a Russian flag and inserted it into his underwear, telling the audience “Don’t tell [Russian President] Putin,” with the incident captured on video.
The band’s subsequent performance in the Russian town of Anapa for the Kubana Festival was cancelled and the band were ordered to leave the country, with Russian Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky labelling them “idiots.” Local media outlets at the time reported that Hasselhoff was questioned by police, but released after apologising for the stunt.
Now BBC Reports Hasselhoff and singer Jimmy Pop are facing charges of “inciting hatred in an organised group,” a crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years. The two artists have been accused of orchestrating the stunt with the intention of “humiliating the human dignity of citizens of Russia.” A statement on the Investigative Committee’s website stated that frontman Pop had shouted out “insulting expressions in English against Russia” during the Ukraine performance.
The band, known for their untoward humour and their 1999 single The Bad Touch, have not yet commented on the charges.
(Via Clash)
Watch: Bloodhound Gang Flag Stunt
http://youtu.be/-JA8OSOa03I
